New business models for sustainable trade

Millions of farmers in Africa depend on export markets for their livelihoods. But recent market trends have led to declining small farmer participation. Yet, these farmers have the skill and soil to provide the high-quality products the food industry seeks. This collaborative initiative engaged with research, civil society and private sector partners to develop new business models across a variety of sectors that enable smallholders to participate in sustainable trading relationships with international businesses and thereby improve their livelihoods.

The project has also produced a practical toolkit, "Linking Smallholders: A guide on inclusive business models", to help facilitators of market linkage work understand conceptual frameworks, cases, and practical processes for linking small scale producers to modern markets. English version [PDF]Spanish version [PDF]

Public Interest in Private Label. How New Relationships Between NGOs and Retailers Can Help Build Trade to Benefit the Developing World's Small Scale Farmers.Sustainable Food Laboratory